BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG

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ISO 9001:2015

KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP
NGÀNH: NGÔN NGỮ ANH

Sinh viên

: Đoàn Thị Quỳnh

Giảng viên hướng dẫn : Ths. Nguyễn Quỳnh Hoa

HẢI PHÒNG – 2020


BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG
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A STUDY ON SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS IN ENGLISH

KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP ĐẠI HỌC HỆ CHÍNH QUY
NGÀNH: NGÔN NGỮ ANH

Sinh viên

: Đoàn Thị Quỳnh

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2. Các số liệu cần thiết để thiết kế, tính toán.
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3. Địa điểm thực tập tốt nghiệp.
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CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN ĐỀ TÀI TỐT NGHIỆP
Người hướng dẫn thứ nhất:
Họ và tên:.............................................................................................
Học hàm, học vị:...................................................................................
Cơ quan công tác:.................................................................................
Nội dung hướng dẫn:............................................................................

Người hướng dẫn thứ hai:
Họ và tên:.............................................................................................
Học hàm, học vị:...................................................................................

........................................................................ ..........................

Họ và tên sinh viên:

.......................................... Chuyên ngành: ...............................

Nội dung hướng dẫn:

..................................................................................................

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1. Tinh thần thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tốt nghiệp
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2. Đánh giá chất lượng của đồ án/khóa luận (so với nội dung yêu cầu đã đề ra trong
nhiệm vụ Đ.T. T.N trên các mặt lý luận, thực tiễn, tính toán số liệu…)
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3. Ý kiến của giảng viên hướng dẫn tốt nghiệp
Được bảo vệ


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1. Phần nhận xét của giáo viên chấm phản biện
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2. Những mặt còn hạn chế
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3. Ý kiến của giảng viênchấm phản biện

Được bảo vệ

Không được bảo vệ

Điểm phản biện

Hải Phòng, ngày … tháng … năm ......
Giảng viênchấm phản biện
(Ký và ghi rõ họ tên)

2. Antonyms in English ............................................................................................................ 10
2.1. Defintion............................................................................................................................10
2.2. Classification of antonyms. ............................................................................................... 12
2.2.1. Based on the meaning ..................................................................................................... 12
2.2.1.1 Graded antonyms .......................................................................................................... 12
2.2.1.2. Complementary antonyms ........................................................................................... 14
2.1.1.3. Conversive antonyms .................................................................................................. 14
2.2.1.4. Directional antonyms ................................................................................................... 16
2.2.2 Based on the derivation. ................................................................................................. 16
2.2.2.1. Root - word antonyms ................................................................................................. 16
2.2.2.2. Derivational antonyms.................................................................................................17
2.2.3. Based on the part of speech ............................................................................................ 17


2.3 Full and empty words ......................................................................................................... 20
3. Vietnamese synonyms and Antonyms .................................................................................. 21
3.1 Vietnamese synonyms ........................................................................................................ 21
3.1.1 Definition and characteristic features. ............................................................................. 21
3.1.2. Classification ................................................................................................................. 21
3.2 Vietnamese antonyms ......................................................................................................... 25
3.2.1. Definition ........................................................................................................................ 25
3.2.2. Classification .................................................................................................................. 25
3.2.3 Structure of Vietnamese antonyms .................................................................................. 26
Chapter 2: Comparing Synonyms and Antonyms in Vietnamese and English. ....................... 28
2.1 Comparing Vietnamese Synonyms and English Synonyms .............................................. 28
2.1.1 Collate semantics of synonyms in English and Vietnamese ........................................... 28
2.1.2 Comparision of meaning in English and Vietnases on pragmatics aspect. .................... 32
2.1.3 Conclution ....................................................................................................................... 35
2.2 Comparing Vietnamese Antonyms and English Antonyms ............................................... 35
2.2.1 Similarity ......................................................................................................................... 35

Đoàn Thị Quỳnh


Graduate Thesis

Haiphong Private University

Part 1: Introduction
1. Rationale
With more than 8 million speakers in every part of the world, English now
has taken its place as the most important international language. Therefore, the
goal of learning and using this language is not just the knowledge of
grammatical rules but also the knowledge of lexicology, especially, antonyms
and synonyms which will pave a way for learners reach to the goal of successful
communication. English learners can enhance their writing and speaking skills
by using a variety of words in their own in term of using two amazing aspects in
English language i.e: Antonyms and Synonyms respectively. For instance, often
most of the words will have more than one Antonym (Synonym) totally
depending on the context. Thus, it’s important to chose the right one, for this ,
you have to make analysis of all the meanings in detail in order to learn the
appropriate use of Antonyms (Synonyms) in English language.
2. Aims of the study
 This study gives the overview of antonym and synonym on English
 This study analyzes types of antonyms as well as synonyms in detail.
 This study gives the common problems of English learning when using
antonym and synonym.
 A lot of exercises are given in order that learner practice and enrich
their vocabulary.
3. Scope of the study
This study looks into the antonym as well as synonym and gives how to

It consists of Antonyms and Synonyms.
Chapter II: Some notes when using Synonym and Antonym in English
Chapter III: Implication: gives some related problems, suggested solutions
and provides some exercises for practice.
Part III: CONCLUSION: Summaries the content of the whole study and
suggests and ideas for further study.

2


Graduate Thesis

Haiphong Private University

Part II: DEVELOPMENT
Chapter I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
1. Synonyms in English
1.1 Definition
Expressions with the same meanings are synonymous. Two points should
be noted about this definition. First, it does not restrict the relation of lexemes to
words: it allows the possibility that lexically simple expressions may have the
same meaning as lexically complex expression (tease = to pill sombody’s leg).
Second, it make identity, not merely similarity, or meaning the criterion of
synonym. While the first point is right, the second is obviously a narrow
position. Many words or expression which we perceive to be synonyms would
not fit this definition.
Synonyms are actually words of the same parts of speech which have
similar meaning, but not identical meanings. They may share a similar
denotational or connotational meaning. They can differ from each another in
terms of denotation or connotation.

Phraseological synonyms, i.e. words different in their collocations
(combinability, i.e. ability to be combined with different words):
• Do - make (to do exercises but to make money)
• Language-tongue (native tongue, but to know languages)
•To lift to raise (to raise or lift a finger bit to raise prices, wages,
question)
1.3.6 Territorial synonyms.
They are those employed in different regions like Britain, Canada,
Australia or the United States. Consider "sidewalk" and "pavement". We know
that the 1omer is common in the States, whereas the latter is use on the other
side of the Atlantic.
Below is a table of some words and phrases belonging to this group of
synonyms.
British English

American English

autumm

fall

vest

undershrit

toilets

rest room

waistcoat


Graduate Thesis

Haiphong Private University

Die vs. be no more/be gone
Lose one's life/breaths one 's last/join the silent majority
WC vs. the restroom/bathroom
1.4 Lexical variants and paronyms
There are many cases of similarity between words easily confused with
synonymy but in fact essentially different from it. Lexical variants for one are
just examples of free variation language, in so far as they are not conditioned by
the contextual environment but are optional with speakers. Northward vs.
northwards. Free variation in enunciation is another source of lexical variants.
"missile" can be pronounced either as /misail/ or /misl/. The litmus test is
whether there exists identity of meaning.
Nevertheless, one should pay attention to cases involving identity of
stems, similarity of forms and meaning combined with a difference in
distribution. They should be treated as synonyms. Consider "luxurious" against
"luxuriant". They are synonymous when meaning "characterized by luxury'.
Otherwise, the latter is restricted to the expression of abundance (used of hair,
leaves, flowers); and the former expresses human luxury (used of tastes, habits,
foods, and mansions). Similarly, "economic" and "economical" are said to be
synonyms.
Paronyms (comes from the Greek para "beside") are words that are
kindred in origin, sound form and meaning but different semantically and in
usage. For example, ingenious vs. ingenuous. The first of these means "clever"
as in an ingenious craftsman, or device; and the other means "frank, artless" as
in ingenuous smile.
The likeness may be accidental as in the verbs "affect" and "effect", which

Besides, there is another simple definition of antonym claiming that: “Antonyms
are word pair that are opposite in meaning such as hot and cold, up and down,
etc…word many have different antonyms, depending on the meaning. Both long
and tall are antonyms of short”.
(www.en.vikipedia.org)
For example:
She took a plate and gave me a clean one.
(Michael, 2000:551)
In the example, there is a pair of antonym: take and give. In the sentence,
take means receive… In terms of the contrary relation, take and give are
antonyms.
Furthermore, take is the polysemantic word; it has meanings in which have
many antonyms. For example, take three antonyms: give, put and bring.
The definition of Hoang Tat Truong, we can see that the word seem
opposite meaning but they don’t have associations together, so, they are not
antonyms. For example, in the sentence: She is beautiful but lazy; He is rich but
he is unhappy…, beautiful-lazy, rich-unhappy seem opposite words but they are
not antonyms because they have no associations together. Late and early in the
example (1) are antonym because of their association.
Oppositeness is perhaps not such a pervasive meaning in the vocabulary of
English as synonym, but is has an important role in structuring the vocabulary of
English. Many antonyms are explained by the means of the negative particle
“not”. Almost every word can have one or more antonyms. Like synonyms,
antonyms occupy an important place in the use of idioms.
For example:
Backwards and forwards
From first to last
In black and white
Not only words, but set expressions as well, can be grouped into antonymic
pairs, for example: by accident >< on purpose.

These pairs are called gradable antonyms because they do not represent an
either or relation but rather a more/less relation. The more/less relation is
evident in a number of ways. One way is that those terms allow comparative, so,
they can take both comparative (happier) and superlative (happiest), for
example:
My arm is longer than yours
I love a good book more than a good meal
(Hoa, 2002:31)
One the other hand, because the adjectives are not mutually exclusive, they
can be qualified by adverbial of degree e.g quite happy, extremely happy, fairly
happy, ect…
Furthermore, their meanings are relative to each other. One meaning is
determined in reference to the meaning of the other. Since contraries are
gradable, the semantic contrast in a contrary pair is relative. There are often
Đoàn Thị Quỳnh - NA1901A

12


Graduate Thesis

Haiphong Private University

intermediate terms between the two opposites. Thus, we have not just rich and
poor, but there are such gradations as rich, well-to-do, well-off, moderately,
wealthy, comfortably off, hard up, poor.
Especially, the negation of one dose not mean the assertion of the other “he
is not rich” dose not mean “he is poor”.
According to Hoang Tat Truong, ‘in dealing with antonymic opposition it
may be helpful to treat antonyms in terms of “marked” and “unmarked”


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Haiphong Private University

2.2.1.2. Complementary antonyms
Tom Mc Arthur gave the definition of complementary antonyms:
“Complementary antonyms are antonyms which express an either or
relationship, e.g. dead or alive, male or female.”
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford.
Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992)
For example:
Shut – open
Win – lose
Permit – forbid
These pairs of antonyms are in relation of oppositeness: if we shut the
window, then it is not open; if we lose a game, then we do not win it, If we
permit someone behavior, then it is not forbidden.
Similarly, these pairs of antonyms are complementary antonyms (Asleep
is an antonym of awake in terms of the contrary state, if we asleep =we don’t
awake. Dead in an antonym of alive in terms of the contrary existence, if
someone is dead = someone in not alive...)
Asleep – awake
Dead – alive
On – off
Shut – open
Permit – forbid
True – false
In short, complementary antonyms are the antonyms involving two
items that presuppose that the assertion of one is the negation of the order.

Vicky is Karl’s wife
Karl is Vicky’s husband.
(Hanh, 2006:89)
In the example, wife is an antonym of husband on the basic of the
contrary
relationship in family.
Similarly, the pairs of adjectives are relational antonyms (Teacher is an
antonym of student in terms of the contrary relationship in school. Left is an
antonym of right in terms of the contract direction...)
Teacher – student
Left – right
Speak – listen
Above – below
Before – after
Give – receive
In nutshell, relational antonyms are the antonyms which are opposite or
contrasting in the order of participants and their roles.

Đoàn Thị Quỳnh - NA1901A

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